Welcome to the first chapter of this new story. Now I'll do my best to explain a little of what things are after the whole chapter is written and you guys have read through it yourself. However, I should point out that this story will be more focused on Saber and Shirou, with underline hints of Shirou and Rin. Not to mention, mentions of Sakura in there too. This will take place in the fifth holy grail war, however instead Rin- You know what, just read it for yourselves and ask any questions you need! Anyway, thank you for checking out the story!
Fate/Stay Night: Salvator. Chapter One: Two Hells for Two People.
Once again she had been sent back to this hill. The bloody hill of Camlann.
This hill was more than it actually looked, though it did look like a lot. The area was dark and grimy, the sky clouded and orange. Almost like the beauty of a sunset had been ripped away and replaced with a look of sadness and death. The landscape was a plain of some sort, one could not tell whether sand or grass laid beneath the numerous amount of bodies. The stench of blood lingered in the air as it mixed with the rusted metal that came from the uncountable amount of bodies.
However, those bodies were more than just nameless corpses. They were Knights, her knights. The woman, clad in blue clothes and steel armor, her hair golden blonde, loose and free feel down in front of her face and behind her head. Her beauty was merely hidden by the pained expression she held on her face as she sat atop a mountain of bodies.
Blood stained her face and armor, too weak to even stand she sat on her knees. Weapons, swords, Axes, spears, all sticking out of the bodies that lined the area. She could not move, she did not want to.
She was King, king of the people that laid dead at her feet. So was she really King anymore? She had no one to rule over now, no people to live on her land that she governed, no people to protect. She had failed them.
She had failed the very people she swore to herself she would protect.
Now this was all that was left, her holy blade laid somewhere in the battlefield. It's power no longer needed for it's power was meant to protect the people. With no people to protect there was no need to carry such a blade. A blade that promised victory, a blade that took the hopes of those that did not make it home and destroyed all evil. But this time that evil was far too great. Or perhaps it was her own arrogance that caused the evil to uproot her very own rule.
Yet it was almost too inhuman to call that Knight "evil". It was her fault after all. Her fault that said Knight had felt rejected, her fault that said knight had fallen into hatred for her and her kingdom. She had pushed that knight to the point of destroying everything she built, everything she wished to protect. Even themselves.
Now she was left with nothing, stuck forever sitting on top of a hill made of the bodies that supported her. The bodies of those she wished, no swore to protect. This bloody wasteland of nameless bodies filled even with some of her closest friends and family. Now forever her hell that reminded her of the failure she had been, the horrible King and a terrible Knight.
Her green eyes looked up to the sky, the blood from her constant fighting on that day still wet and fresh on her face as if she never would outlive that moment. She raised her hand towards the sky, her armor clanking in shifting as she was always ready for battle, always ready to fight and always ready to kill. She reached for the sun, the only source of light that broke through the thick and dark clouds every so often. Reaching for the only way out, the only thing in this world that had not been tainted by her failure.
Tears began to form in the corners of her eyes. The pain of her failure and the deaths of many weighing heavily on her shoulders, every so often it was finally enough to break through her Knightly attitude of strong and confident and roll down her face. However this time it was no mere silent weep.
It was loud, loud enough for her to cry and scream to the sky that would never answer back. The cries of a King that could not save the people she cared for, the cries of a King that had failed and let everyone down. The cries of a King with one wish.
To never be King.
For if she was never King, if she had never pulled the sword from stone. . .then maybe, just maybe, everyone would be alive. Everyone would be happy and the country she loved so much would still be standing. She would erase everything, even if it meant making sure she was never born she would do so. Just so everyone else would be happy.
Despite the bloodshed, the true nature of the King still remained. Kind and gentle, always thinking about the person next to her rather than herself. She was always willing to give her life for those she cared for and even those she did not know. Yet that was not enough, for all good things must come to an end. . .yet why should that be?
Why should said "end" be the death of all those she loved and cared for, why should said "end" be the pain and suffering of innocent people, good men and great Knights. Why should that "end" be such a sad and painful one caused by her failure to lead her people.
The tears were now streaming down her face more freely, almost like they had been awaiting the chance to slip past the barrier she had put up to hide her emotions. She allowed herself to let out another scream that echoed across the empty and dead field of blood and bodies. There was no reason to hold that Kingly attitude now for there was no one to listen, no one to support or help the King as she wept.
She preferred it that way, she wanted to stay true to the King these people believed in, believed in to the end. She needed to not only be strong for them but also for herself for it felt like every time she came back here she was on the verge of breaking. Falling to the ground and crying for the rest of her time. Yet the rest of her time was eternity, forever trapped in this hell. Though deep down she felt that she deserved such a punishment.
Looking at the ground beneath her knees, he folded over. Crying into the ground that was the bodies of Knights. She tightened her hand into a fist, her crying went from pain and sadness to frustration and guilt. She just needed to get the Holy Grail, just once. Then all of these deaths would be reversed. Then no one would die and no one would be let down. She would save them and she would never be King.
Then it hit her, she was right. All she needed to do was get the Holy Grail. Once so close in her hands that she could have touched it, yet her Master at the time ordered her to destroy it. She spent many hours trying to figure out why said man would order such a thing. She believed him to be a fiend, a savage with no moral code that hid behind the idea of being a hero and saving the world. But something told her that was not true at all. . .
That man had determination, enough to do whatever it took to win the Holy Grail. Surely if he wished destruction upon the Earth or personal gain he would have been more open about it. Why lie, why play her like a fool? Was that truly all she had become in death was a fool, one to be used over and over and to never obtain her dream.
No. . .that couldn't be it. Or at least if it was she would change it. She needed that wish granting device. She would wish upon it, take back her choice to pull the sword from stone and ensure the happiness of those that currently laid dead beneath her. That was her only choice, the only way to make up for her failure. So now, it was time to stand and wait. . .though that was the worst part.
In a world that never changed, not moving and empty, waiting was the worst that one could do. For she was left with merely here thoughts. Nothing more. Memories of times where she could have changed something, done something better. But it was all she could do in a place like this. It is all she would do until she was called upon once more in an era fighting for the Holy Grail.
With a new look of determination in her green eyes that were still broken and weak she stood. Looking into the horizon as the tears that once flowed freely slowly traced the tracks of those before it. It hurt. . . it did but one day she would be free of this place. One way or another, she knew it, or at least she had to if she didn't want to go crazy.
Yet something else caught her eye this time, something strange and foreign in a world that was never changing. She reached her hand out with her head tilted slightly. Confusion over came her facial expression as it forced away the sadness and distracted her for now. Her armored hand clanked as she raised it in front of her. Her palm open and facing the sky.
What fell within her palm was the most fascinating yet also most strange. A small dot of white powder, gently dancing it's way down from the sky and landing in her hand before quickly turning to nothing but water.
Snow.
Snow in a world that has never seen such still beauty. Yet how was it snowing, how did a place like this have weather that was so calm, quiet and beautiful. The exact opposite of what this world meant to the King. Looking to the sky, her green eyes searching the dark clouds that covered the bright sun. Yet it was no dream, the snow continued to fall. What was happening. . .
Then a small breeze, gliding across the wasteland of metal and armor as it slammed into the blonde headed King. Her free hair that fell in front of her face shifting and blocking her vision as she brought her hands up to keep it under control. She turned, looking into where the breeze was coming from and widened her eyes.
She could not hear, nor could she focus or make out the person standing at the bottom of the hill. Yet there was someone there. His features and details hidden from her sight, the only sounds she could hear was the wind crashing against her ears. The only thing between them the snow that gently landed on them.
He spoke, his mouth moved and his face made an expression, but what expression? She could see his mouth move yet could not hear words. His head tilted and his mouth turned into a smile, but why? What was he happy about and what was he doing here.
She tried to speak, tried to say something to him but she could not. She felt that she knew the answer to her question despite not being able to think of it right now. Then he reached out, offering her hand to her. The smile still on his face. Was he. . .
Was he here to save her.
Then it hit her. Her voice finally coming to her after searching for it as she reached out to him. Her eyes widened hoping and praying this was not a dream. She was drawn to him. She called out to him.
"You are-"
A breeze swept across a winter waste land. Snow lining the ground as a constant breeze glided over the land. The snow light enough to be gathered and taken away from the wind and blown across the plain like a dust storm. Clouds of snow barreled through the area, enough to block the vision of those that were unlucky enough to be trapped within it's cold grip. Of course there was one.
The sky was black, lifeless and almost empty, The only thing keeping it from such was the lone moon that shined it's dim light down on vast and cold wasteland. In between the clouds of snow that found it's way to one end of the land were objects. Reflecting the light of the moon or at least what little light it offered and stationary. Lifeless objects that held themselves into the ground. Each different in looks and shape.
Weapons, enough to be scattered and still close together no matter which direction you walked. However they were more than just place holders or land markers, they looked like graves. Each one placed on top of a small mound of snow, yet just as the snow was lifeless so was the blade. The blade though remarkable in design and strength held it's own battle scars.
Each one broken, chipped or bloodied. However they were kept that way for a reason. To remember the one it was taken from, to remember the lives taken during the time he saw it. To remember why it was placed within his own personal hell.
This place had never stopped, nor would it ever stop. For every weapon he saw it was automatically recorded here. The blades that stuck out from the ground memory holders of the times he went to battle. Going to battle, more like a slaughter, to kill and kill. To kill until one stopped caring about who was killed and why they were killed. To kill until it meant nothing, for each person that was killed the very blade that was recorded into his hell chipped away at the heart of the man that recorded it.
But that was a different man, a man that had taken a different path. A path that lead him to more bloodshed no matter which corner he turned or which street he walked down. It always lead to the same place. The place of war, pain, and endless suffering to the point of finally wishing to no longer exist. But that was all just a dream now.
A dream and lingering memory of a man that did not wish to live any longer, now there was a different man that sat within this hell. For it had become his hell. His cold and lifeless hell that reminded him of the people and things he lost in his life, not in his death.
That was the different between the two, for one had lost everything in life so there was nothing to lose in death. While the other lost nothing in life, and continued to lose more than everything in death. One hated themselves, the person they had become and wished for nothing more than to be erased from history. For they felt they were nothing more than a stain on the world. A stain that killed and did not care.
The other on the other hand sat within this world, regretful for the things he did not do, while also not caring about what happens to himself. Like the world around him, he is cold and lifeless. Empty and dark. No longer having the flame of loved ones to warm his soul, that had been snuffed out a long time ago. So now he was here, trapped within a hell that was made personally for him. To forever remember the people he lost and the things he could have done better. With memories of a man that did not wish to live. That was his life now.
That was the life of Heroic Spirit, Shirou Emiya.
However he was not really a heroic spirit, not yet anyway. By the time his death came, he had been relying on the power of heroic EMIYA for quite some time. That power of a counter guardian did not come without it's own price.
Using the power of his future self had infected his own origin. The life, memories and body of EMIYA and imprinted onto Shirou's own soul. So whenever he called upon that power that is used to save humanity, he was being invaded by EMIYA himself. When his death came, he was already basically a counter guardian, his future self was no longer longer a separate being. But then again, neither was Shirou Emiya, they had combined, become one. And thus the contract made by EMIYA carried over to Shirou.
Yet the enslavement of his future self could not transfer over to Shriou, at least not yet. He was not EMIYA yet, so he was not the counter guardian EMIYA, yet. One day he would be, the power of his future self would be awakened when he needed it and slowly but surely he would become EMIYA. When that happened he would take EMIYA's place. Being summoned across time to fight for humanity and kill those that threatened the balance of the world. But. . .unlike EMIYA, he was okay with that.
He was okay with that fate, for he had done everything he could in his own life. Even though it left him with nothing.
He had lost his father, his friend, someone dear to him, and his sister. All had been taken away from him close to the same night. The same cold and snowy night. Just like the one he was forever trapped in.
However, he had the chance to save his sister and make sure she lived a nice and happy life, free from pain and suffering. Free from him. He was no older brother, not like he should have been and no matter what happened he was always making things worse. Putting his sister in danger. So, he fought. Threw away everything he knew because he had nothing, no ideals passed down from him, no loved ones. So he did whatever he could to save the last thing in his life that mattered, though it was all fake anyway.
His father was not his true father, merely someone that had found him. His friend was truly not his friend, for his friend lied and betrayed him. His sister was not actually his sister. Everything was fake, just like this world. Filled withe fake replicas of the real thing. Yet once again, he was okay with that.
Okay with the fate he had chosen for in the end, he had won. Saved his sister and got her away from the life of pain and suffering. She was no longer alone and in danger. She was happy. But her happiness came with Shirou giving everything. So now he had nothing. And since he had nothing, there was no reason he needed to care what happened to him. He only wished. . .he only wished he could have done something more to save her. Gave her the life she wanted.
But that was not his right, it was not possible for him to be in her life and have her happy. So he gave everything for the one, damning with the many.
Of course there was a lot of things he regretted. He wished he could have said he loved her one last time. He wished he could have seen his father once more. He wished he could have given Sakura her scarf back. . .But all that was gone and over with. Once again. He had nothing.
The cold wind blew once more over the land, shifting the clothes that the young man had on his body. His hair was red, a deep colored red that matched the red cloak he wore on his body. However on the upper half the cloak only covered one arm, for the other cut off at the black plated armor that had no sleeves. In return, he wore a white robe that covered the bare side of his arm.
After that his armor was close to his future counterpart, though in addition Shirou sported a redhead band. It did well to keep his messy hair out of his eyes. However that was another difference, his eyes. His yellows eyes once so determined and filled with life now pale and empty. Cold and lifeless, much like the the inner world or hell in stayed in now. (Archer Class Card Shirou design)
He sat on top of a hill, the only hill within his inner world that looked over the rest of the landscape. The usual gears that were always turning, working and creating now hidden by the black and cold landscape.
This world represented his mindset, the mindset to give everything for the one. The mindset of losing everything and giving more than everything to save the one. At least he won.
Yet there was a glimpse. A quick flash of light that was shown in the distance. Shirou stood from his seated position and looked into the distance where the flash had come from. The wind continuing to shift his body and armor. However this time the quick flash got brighter engulfing him and the world around him.
Raising his hands to guard from the bright light, Shirou felt something odd though he could not see. Warmth.
The first time he had felt something like this in a long time.
Underneath the Tohsaka residence, like most houses, was a cellar. A cellar used for a great many things. The cellar itself was lined with many books and papers. All within their own right containing some sort of mage craft knowledge. This area had not been used for years, laying quiet and peaceful and holding within it the knowledge and life's work of Tokomi Tohsaka.
CRASH!
That was until today anyway. Within the walls of the once quiet and peaceful cellar was now Rin Tohsaka, moving and throwing objects out of her way to clear a space for her and her summoning circle. The summoning circle was a basic ritual to summon forth a servant. Of course within the middle should hold a catalyst, should. Yet Rin had another plan in mind. Given she did not possess said catalyst, she would do everything in her power to ensure that she would summon forth Saber. Even without such a necessary piece.
The sounds of scraping stone against stone echoed through out the cellar as Rin moved the final object out of her way. A rather large table made of stone and other heavy materials that was placed in the middle.
The area inside was rather dark, the only source of light being the small window up towards the top of the wall that allowed the moonlight to enter and light up the room as much as it could. It was obvious that where the table had been sitting, underneath, was a magic circle, used by her own father in the last Grail War to summon his own servant. By reusing his, Rin could focus on other quality materials going into the summoning to ensure the most powerful saber.
With a hand on her hip and her weight shifted to one side, Rin looked at the work she had just completely with admiration while also taking note of the circle her Father had once used. It was not like he tried to hide it, he had taken notes of the summoning within his own journal and thanks to that Rin could use the same methods to summon her own servant. Of course there were a couple more circumstances she was taking into account.
"There, preparations ready." She nodded to herself as she began to check off the things she had taken note of within her mind. Turning to the clock that she had placed on the table next to the box she nodded her head once more. "Time, is perfect." She then placed her hand on her other wrist, counting her pulse and wave length to ensure her body and mana were at their peaks. "Wavelength, ideal." She commented as she dropped her hands and turned towards the magic circle.
Taking a few steps forward she stood at the edge of the circle, finishing her metal check list and preparing herself to summon her own servant. "By performing the summoning at 2AM, when my mana is at its peak, I'll get Saber even without a catalyst. Just you watch!" The young mage said to herself. Her voice dripping with determination to summon the strongest servant and win the Holy Grail.
Taking another step within the circle, closer to the center this time, Rin raised her hand and opened it. Within her palm was many gems of different colors. Ten jewels to be exact, half of her collection over the years she had been alive. Each one contains a significant amount of mana and the quality of the Gem's are nearly priceless. One such gen would cost nearly ten million Yen alone to create. She was putting as much as she could into this summoning to ensure her victory. She only hoped she would not regret it.
She closed her eyes and reopened them, regaining that look of determination as she was ready to continue. Holding her hands out, she allowed the gems to drip with mana onto the circle, beginning the chant to summon forth her servant.
"For the elements, silver and iron. For the foundation, stone and the Archduke of Pacts." The gems continued to drip, gathering in a small puddle before eventually tracing the lines of the circle. Glowing a bright blue indicating the power they held, they reacted with each word Rin spoke. "And for the ancestor, my great master, Schweinorg. Close the four gates. Come forth from the Crown and follow the forked road leading to the Kingdom."
"Fill." The circle began to glow, her mana flowing with the circle as it began to empower the summoning. However, as the drips from the stones continued to pour mana into the circle they began to flow over the piece of orange cloth. A small spark of electricity began to shock the cloth, unknown to the eyes of Rin the circle was reacting to her catalyst.
"Fill." Again the circle became brighter. The reaction of mana into the air more intense as a gentle wind blew the cloth and Rin standing inside. It was working, just a little more.
"Fill."
"Fill."
"Fill." Finally upon the last chant of the word the intensity had grown. The breeze noticeable even to Rin as she could feel her Mana being poured into the circle. The light of the circle being bright enough for her to squint her eyes and try to shield them for she wished to see what was happening. It had to be working! There was no way she was not going to summon Saber!
"Repeat five times. But when each is filled, destroy it." The glow of the magic circle changed. The glow becoming more orange and red as the summoning was close to be completion"Heed my words. My will creates your body, and your sword my destiny."
The energy in the air continued to grow. The wind now blowing the papers that had lined the walls and bookshelves being thrown around the room. The light so bright Rin had to close her eyes and continue the chant. This was it, she was so close to winning this war. "If you heed the Grail's call and obey my will and reason, then answer me!"
"I hereby swear that I shall be all the good in the world. That I shall defeat all evil in the world." The circled released a large out put of mana. The mana in the room reaching its peak as the wind was enough for Rin to lean into it. This was it. Her servant was almost here. "Thou Seventh Heaven, clad in the three great words of power, come forth from the circle of binding,"
"Thou Guardian of the scales!" She screamed opening her eyes to the bright light that seemed to not only engulf her but also the entire room in its bright embrace. the final shock wave of mana being sent through out the room with a quick spark of lightning as the wind the stopped. Throwing the papers and books against the wall and to the floor. The light within the area slowly began to dim as Rin stood within the circle of her servant. Slowly opening her eyes as she did her best to adjust to the lack of light there was before the summoning.
Yet she could feel it, the drain on her mana. She slouched over a little, her breath becoming heavy as she did her best to keep herself standing. Her mana had almost been drained. This had to be a powerful servant, she had to have summoned Saber. Of course before she could even think about she looked around for a moment, "Huh?" she spit out, where was here servant?
She summoned a servant she was sure. . .but where were they? They did not summon within the circle so where-
BOOM!
Rin's eyes went to the ceiling as the ground of her cellar began to shake. The sound of a rather loud crash or explosion could be heard and almost sounded like something run through her house. Standing up straight and making her way to the stairs, Tohsaka ran up the stairs. Skipping a couple before making her way to the area she thought the sound had come from.
Going to open the door her realized it was rather blocked. Slamming into the door, she realized it would not open. "This. Door. Won't. Open!" She yelled as she slammed into the door once more, causing it to be forced open. However by open, the door fell to the ground, completely coming unhinged as it crashed against the floor.
Looking around the room she widened her eyes in shook. It was all destroyed! Her living room was completely wrecked! Her furniture was covered in debris from the roof, which no had a huge hole in it. The moon clearly visible from the hole as it shined inside the living room. However now it was notably colder, given that there was an extra large window in her house now.
However, her eyes landed on the back of another, standing up yet not facing her. From what she could tell he was a bit taller than her. He wore a red cloak that covered his one arm and back, while also wrapping around his waist. His hair was red, a familiar red as a white rob was worn over his opposite arm. He seemed to be staring, looking around the room as if he was looking for something or. . .looking at something.
Noticing that someone had come into the room the servant looked over his shoulder, his eyes meeting Rin's. He widened them for a moment.
'So then. . .even in death fate shows it's sharp teeth. Isn't that right, Tohsaka?' He thought lowering his head to the point his hair covered his eyes, a small smile coming to his face at his own bad luck.
Rin on the other hand stared at the man with her own eyes widened, those eyes, that hair. . .it couldn't be. What was he doing here? How did he get in her house, actually she knew how but why? Why did Emiya just crash through her roof and what was he wearing?! But something told her the answer, the mana connection between the two of them was enough evidence to tell her what his true identity was, despite his appearance.
But those eyes, they were so empty so dark. . .could that really be him? It had to be but. . .also it wasn't him. She took a step forward unsure with her actions as she held her hands close to her chest. She wanted answers she wanted to know but, she also didn't. Something told her she wouldn't like the answer she got. But. . .She reached out for him, stepping even close. "You are. . ." She spoke, not so much as questioning him but stating the facts. "E-Emiya?"
His name reached his ears, so she figured it out that fast. Guess those stories about Rin being one of the smartest in school was actually true. Turning to face her his facial features in full light her expression only got more shocked, surprised, maybe a little scared. Shirou smiled, his face gentle but. . .his eyes, his eyes were still dark. He seemed older, different, colder, but that smile. . .that smile was still the same.
"It's been awhile, you look good. . .So then, I guess you are my Master." Shirou did not move, allowing his words to sink in as his clothes shifted with the wind and the moon to his back.
"Tohsaka."
Boom that's it! I hope you all enjoyed and I really don't have much to say. Please leave a review and ask any questions! Feel free to DM and talk to me! I hope you guys have a goodnight, it's 10:39 P.M for me right now and super cold! I hope to have the next chapter out to you guys soon! Thank you for reading!
Peace!
